Expert Advice On Improving Your Home

June 2023 Reviews

6 Best Home Warranty Companies in San Carlos, CA

Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros

Last Updated June 2023

If you're thinking about purchasing a home warranty, our guide on the top providers in San Carlos can help. As much as you may love owning a home in San Carlos, there is always that concern about whether your systems and appliances are going to need repairs over the next few years.

A home warranty in San Carlos can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear. Finding the best home warranty on the market can be quite overwhelming since there are lots of companies to decide between. That's why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in San Carlos for you.

Preferred Providers

Best Overall
4.5/5
  • Over 10 years of experience
  • 24/7 customer service team
  • Home inspections aren’t required
4.5/5
  • Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Two months of free coverage
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
4.5/5
  • The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay

The 6 Best Home Warranty Companies in San Carlos

Choice Home Warranty

Over 10 years of experience

24/7 customer service team

Home inspections aren’t required

90-day repair guarantee

Plans aren’t customizable

Customers can’t choose their own contractor

Not available in washington

Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in San Carlos. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.

There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice's plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.

To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.

Basic Plan

Total Plan

Service fee: $85.00 Monthly cost: $45.00
Items covered: Ceiling fan , Cooktop exhaust , Dishwasher , Disposal , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door opener , Heating system , Oven , Microwave , Plumbing system , Toilet , Water heater Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Septic , Well pump , Roof leaking , Septic tank , Sump pump , Vacuum , Stand-alone freezer
Service fee: $85.00 Monthly cost: $53.33
Items covered: Ceiling fan , Cooktop exhaust , Dishwasher , Disposal , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door opener , Heating system , Oven , Microwave , Plumbing system , Toilet , Water heater , AC , Washer , Dryer , Refrigerator Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Septic , Well pump , Roof leaking , Septic tank , Sump pump , Vacuum , Stand-alone freezer

Select Home Warranty

Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers

Two months of free coverage

Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

90-day repair guarantee

Has a $75 cancellation fee

Low coverage caps

In San Carlos, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you're looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.

Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.

Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.

Bronze Care Plan

Gold Care Plan

Platinum Care Plan

Service fee: $60.00 Monthly cost: $57.67
Items covered: Disposal , Dishwasher , Dryer , Microwave , Oven , Refrigerator , Washer Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Septic , Sprinkler , Stand-alone freezer , Vacuum , Well pump , Sump pump , Roof leaks
Service fee: $60.00 Monthly cost: $57.67
Items covered: Air Conditioner , Ductwork , Electrical , Heating system , Plumbing , Water heater Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Septic , Sprinkler , Stand-alone freezer , Vacuum , Well pump , Sump pump , Roof leaks
Service fee: $60.00 Monthly cost: $62.08
Items covered: Disposal , Dishwasher , Dryer , Microwave , Oven , Refrigerator , Washer , Air conditioner , Ductwork , Electrical , Heating system , Plumbing , Water heater , Ceiling fan , Garage door , Plumbing stoppages Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Septic , Sprinkler , Stand-alone freezer , Vacuum , Well pump , Sump pump , Roof leaks

American Home Shield

The oldest and most trusted company in the industry

Allows customers to build their own plans

Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay

Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems

Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician

Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska

In San Carlos, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.

The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.

For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.

ShieldSilver

ShieldGold

ShieldPlatinum

Service fee: $75.00 - $125.00 Monthly cost: $29.27 - $44.27
Items covered: Air Conditioner , Alarm , Attic fans , Bath exhaust fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust , Disposal , Doorbell , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door , Heating system , Locksmith , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Toilet , Water dispenser , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Pool , Spa , PC , TV , Septic , Well pump
Service fee: $75.00 - $125.00 Monthly cost: $39.27 - $54.27
Items covered: Air conditioner , Alarm , Attic fans , Bath exhaust fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust , Dishwasher , Doorbell , Dryer , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door , Heating system , Microwave , Oven , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Refrigerator , Toilet , Trash compactor , Washer , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Pool , Spa , PC , TV , Septic , Well pump
Service fee: $75.00 - $125.00 Monthly cost: $59.27 - $74.27
Items covered: Air conditioner , Alarm , Attic fans , Bath exhaust fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust , Dishwasher , Disposal , Doorbell , Dryer , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door , Heating system , Locksmith , Microwave , Oven , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Refrigerator , Roof leaks , Toilet , Trash compactor , Washer , Water dispenser , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Pool , Spa , PC , TV , Septic , Well pump

The Home Service Club

Policy starts in ten days

24/7 customer service support

Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances

30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee

Offers utility and home service outside line coverage

Higher service fee of $95

Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)

Only 2 plan options

The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for San Carlos residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. If you're looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.

There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC's plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.

To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club full review to learn more.

Standard Coverage Plan

Comprehensive Coverage Plan

Service fee: $60.00 - $95.00 Monthly cost: $50.40
Items covered: Air conditioner , Ceiling fan , Dishwasher , Garbage disposal , Dryer , Electrical system , Food center , Free-standing ice maker , Garage door opener , Heating system , Microwave , Oven , Plumbing , Refrigerator , Trash compactor , Central vacuum , Washer , Water heater Add-on items: Utilities and home service line coverage (outside gas line, outside water line, outside sewer line, sprinkler system , Pool , Spa , Water softener , Roof leaks , Well pump , Pump , Stand-alone freezer
Service fee: $60.00 - $95.00 Monthly cost: $62.90
Items covered: Air conditioner , Alarm wiring , Attic fans , Ceiling fan , Dishwasher , Garbage disposal , Doorbell , Dryer , Ductwork , Electrical system , Food center , Free-standing ice maker , Garage door opener , Heating system , Microwave , Oven , Pest control , Phone , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Refrigerator , Sump pump , Toilet , Trash compactor , Central vacuum , Washer , Water dispenser , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Utilities and home service line coverage (outside gas line, outside water line, outside sewer line, sprinkler system , Pool , Spa , Water softener , Roof leaks , Well pump , Pump , Stand-alone freezer

First American Home Warranty

Established company with a bbb accreditation

Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork

24/7 service calls available

Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor

According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing

First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for San Carlos residents. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.

First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Carlos homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500.

For more information, read our full review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.

Basic Plan

Premier Plan

Service fee: $85.00 Monthly cost: $38.00
Items covered: Attic fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust fan , Dishwasher , Disposal , Dryer , Microwave , Oven , Refrigerator , Trash compactor , Washer , Water dispenser Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Air conditioner , Septic tank , Septic , Well pump , First-class upgrade
Service fee: $85.00 Monthly cost: $48.50
Items covered: Attic fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust fan , Dishwasher , Disposal , Dryer , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door , Heating system , Microwave , Oven , Plumbing system , Plumbing stoppages , Refrigerator , Toilet , Trash compactor , Vacuum , Water heater , Washer , Water dispenser Add-on items: Pool , Spa , Air conditioner , Septic tank , Septic , Well pump , First-class upgrade

Cinch Home Services

Offers home insurance deductible of $500

Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee

Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days

Charges high service fees of $75-$150

Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician

Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska

Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in San Carlos. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.

Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for San Carlos homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch's service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.

Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505.

Appliances Plan

Built-in Systems Plan

Complete Home Plan

Service fee: $75.00 - $150.00 Monthly cost: $34.99 - $50.99
Items covered: Cooktop exhaust fan , Dishwasher , Dryer , Food center , Free-standing ice maker , Microwave , Oven , Refrigerator , Refrigerator ice maker , Trash compactor , Washer Add-on items: Pool , Septic , Well pump
Service fee: $75.00 - $150.00 Monthly cost: $39.99 - $57.99
Items covered: Air conditioner , Smoke alarm , Attic fans , Bath exhaust fans , Ceiling fans , Disposal , Doorbell , Ductwork , Electrical , Garage door , Heating system , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Septic tank pumping , Spa , Sump pump , Toilet , Vacuum , Water dispenser , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Pool , Septic , Well pump
Service fee: $75.00 - $150.00 Monthly cost: $49.99 - $67.99
Items covered: Air conditioner , Alarm , Attic fans , Bath exhaust fans , Ceiling fans , Cooktop exhaust , Dishwasher , Disposal , Doorbell , Dryer , Ductwork , Electrical , Food center , Free-standing ice maker , Garage door , Heating system , Microwave , Oven , Plumbing , Plumbing stoppages , Refrigerator , Refrigerator ice maker , Septic tank pumping , Spa , Sump pump , Toilet , Trash compactor , Vacuum , Washer , Water dispenser , Water heater , Whole house fan Add-on items: Pool , Septic , Well pump
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

Cost of Common Home Repairs in San Carlos

Home Appliance Repair Cost
Air Conditioner $8,250
Heating $5,500
Electrical $825
Toilets $688
Washer/Dryer $1,100
Plumbing $825
Oven $2,200
Fridge $825

What is a Home Warranty?


A home warranty is a protection plan that helps homeowners account for the high costs of appliance and systems repairs. Home warranties will cover a number of home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home warranty is one thing that can make it easier to budget and manage your finances. A home warranty plan usually has a 30-day waiting period from the time you pay to when you can file your first claim.

When one of your systems or appliances experiences an issue, you file a claim with your home warranty provider. You can do so in an online portal or by calling customer support, and then a repair technician will come and fix the problem.

At this point, you'll pay your service fee, which is typically between $60 and $150, depending on what plan you choose. After the service fee is paid, a service technician will come to your home, assess the issue, and repair it. As long as the repair is covered by the warranty and it's within the coverage cap, most homeowners will not have any other out-of-pocket costs apart from the service fee.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

A home warranty in San Carlos provides coverage for the main appliances and systems in a house. The appliances commonly covered under a home warranty plan are the dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, dryer, microwave, oven, and more. System coverage typically includes air conditioning, electrical systems, heating, plumbing, and more.

Add-on coverage options can vary by plan but often include things like a central vacuum, plumbing stoppages, sprinkler system, septic system, and second refrigerator.

San Carlos homeowners should know that a home warranty plan will only cover repairs and replacements that arise from normal wear and tear. Home warranties do not cover things like natural disasters, cosmetic issues, misuse of a system or appliance, or pre-existing conditions. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance on your home systems and appliances to make sure that your next repair or replacement-related issue will be covered by the policy.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in San Carlos?


Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in San Carlos can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.

Not only does a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.

Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don't cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it's important to make sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.

Home Warranty Tips


Determining the best provider for your home warranty is the first step toward protecting your home. Below are some factors to consider when looking for a home warranty in San Carlos:

  • Learn about the company's customer service: Some companies provide 24/7 customer service via phone, online portal, or app, whereas others only have service during normal business hours. Additionally, some companies will respond to claims within 48 hours, while other providers can wait up to 72 hours to send a repair technician to your home.
  • Exclusions: Are there any repair or replacement costs your policy won't cover? It's important to have a good grasp of what those things are before agreeing to a contract.
  • Reputation: Is the company well-regarded in the industry by its customers and publications? Have they been in business for several years?
  • Service call fee: The cost of a provider sending a repair technician to your home varies by provider, but there are some that have service fees as low as $60.

Preferred Providers

Best Overall
4.5/5
  • Over 10 years of experience
  • 24/7 customer service team
  • Home inspections aren’t required
4.5/5
  • Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Two months of free coverage
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
4.5/5
  • The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties in San Carlos, CA

The best home warranty provider in San Carlos is Choice Home Warranty. Choice Home Warranty has an expansive network of experienced repair technicians and a great reputation in the San Carlos area.

A home warranty helps protect against the normal wear and tear of systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation like a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which are not that common in San Carlos.

Generally a home warranty lasts for a year and you can renew it yearly. In San Carlos where many rely on heating and A.C., renewing your policy could help mitigate large, unexpected expenses if your HVAC system needs repairs.

Most home warranty plans will cover replacement costs as well as repair costs. The coverage cap varies from one plan to the next. Your home warranty will give you some money towards a replacement but don't expect to have the entire replacement paid for.

A home warranty policy can cost on average anywhere from about $300 to $800 a year in San Carlos. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly. For example, the warranty might cost $50 a month or $570 for 13 months. In this example, going with the annual plan over monthly payments saves you $80. It's important to compare plans to determine what you're really getting for the price.

Usually coverage for a home warranty plan begins 30 days after the payment receipt. However, a few providers may let you make a service request before this, so verify with customer service to find the exact waiting period for your situation.

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